We'll journey through Israel, pausing to read and reflect at various events of His life and ministry. These events took place at specific locations, so you’ll learn a bit about Israel in 30AD, too. There are questions to inspire you to meditate on your response to Jesus’ ministry and how that may be different this year due to self-isolation and social distancing. After completing the daily study, take time to reflect and journal on the questions. If you are doing this study with friends, share you insights with each other. Each session has an activity to do as well to help you move faith into action.
Close each session with the prayer in the lesson.
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, walk with me and open my heart to what you would have me learn from these lessons. Amen.
Awareness of Christ (Monday): Nazareth & Cana
Before we can follow our call, we have to be aware of it ourselves. Before we can follow Jesus, we have to be aware of him in our life. Awareness is when we become conscious, responsive, and recognize something or someone as important. It’s how we become aware of God’s love and our own calling. Our senses are the way we are aware of the world around us.
Try these Awareness Exercises
· Visual awareness: try to remember everything in one of your kitchen drawers.
· Sensory awareness: feel different textures in a box, try to tell what they are.
· Audio awareness: identify a song or instrument from the first few notes.
· Taste awareness: take a bite, slowly chew and savor the taste.
· Scent awareness: inhale deeply. What do you smell?
· Overall awareness: with eyes closed describe another person.
There are different ways of being aware of things. In this Lent of self-isolation, we have become aware of our interconnectedness in new ways. We learn to be aware of our Lord by reading the Bible, studying, worshipping. People in Jesus’ time gradually became aware that there was a new and powerful teacher among them. None were aware of how this rabbi wiould change everything. It all started in Galilee.
The hill country in the northern part of Galilee is where the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, walked with their flocks. Rome conquered the area in 63BCE. Hated Roman soldiers and Herod Antipas’ guards marched along the roads. Herod was the tetrarch, an honorary title granted by the Emperor, but the real power was with Rome. Jesus’ preaching ministry started among these hills.
Read Matthew 4:23-5:12
Jesus says that those who gain God’s favor are the poor in spirit, the grieving, and the meek. Can you find the blessing in need, sorrow, or troubles of your life?
We are also called to mercy, peace, and purity. What can you do to cultivate these traits in yourself and in those around you?
Nazareth overlooked prosperous farming land. A wide variety of nationalities traveled from the Great Sea to Jerusalem or the Sea of Galilee along the trade routes just down the hill from the town. Some lucky people rode the route on camels, donkeys or horses but most walked from place to place. Large numbers of workers from many nations settled here, creating a diverse community. Grain and many fruit crops such as pomegranates, grapes, figs and olives flourished in the sheltered climate of the area. These were sold locally and traded as far away as the seacoast and the capital. Houses were made of limestone covered with mud brick.
Nazareth is the town where Jesus grew up and learned the carpenter’s trade from his father, Joseph. However, when he returned to Nazareth he was not welcomed. Instead, the people are offended by his claims and try to throw him from the cliffs.
Read Luke 4:16-30
Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 in the synagogue at Nazareth. Why do you think his teaching was rejected by his neighbors?
How can we ‘preach good news to the poor...liberty to captives...proclaim the year of the Lord’, esp. during social distancing?
A half-day’s walk north of Nazareth (10 miles) is the town of Cana. This farming village, known for its rich grapevines is comfortably situated in the Jezreel Valley at the foot of the Galilean hills. Grapes, raisins and wine are exported to surrounding areas and as far away as Jerusalem. Jesus performed the first miracle in Cana—changing water into wine.
Read John 2:1-11
Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding. How can we bring Jesus into the everyday events of our lives?
Mary believed that her son would help the couple. Do you have the same trust that God will provide for your needs?
How aware are you of Christ in your life and ministry in stressful times?
Taking Action:
Pray the News-as you read the headlines in your favorite news feed or newspaper, take time to hold the issues, the men and women involved, to God.
Is there something you can take action to change or to help?
Pray Today:
Jesus, Lover of the poor and meek, help me to be aware of your presence in all aspects of my life and to be open to sharing the good news with all I meet, trusting that you will provide the words and the opportunity to witness to you. Amen.
Prayer for Monday of Holy Week (BCP)
Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
